5. EDSR 09-11-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Appendix E: Relevant News Articles (cont.) MINMES011 REAL ESTATE JOURNAL MREJ Leasing Guide November/December 200a Patience pays off for Elk River venture ECONOMIC REBOUND REVIVES ORLUCK INDUSTRIES PROJECT By Murray W. Wolf In mid-2001, with a booming business and dwindling space in his leased facility in Dayton, Minn., Mark Orluck was getting serious about relocation. His goal was to build a new facility somewhere in the northwest Twin Cities metro area. But, those plans got sidetracked when 9/11 and a declining economy slowed the growth of his high-precision manufacturing firm. Fortunately, times have changed. Orluck Industries Inc. recently received final city and county approval for a new $1.41 million, 23,000 square foot manufacturing facility on 2.79 acres in Elk River. "Manufacturing has improved for us. It's gradually getting better," Orluck says. "So, it's just a good time to do it." But, even with an improving economy, Orluck Industries probably wouldn't have been able to relocate to a new facility without the support of the City of Elk River. City staff remained in close touch with Orluck even during the economic downturn. So, when he put the project back on the front burner early this year, they were fully prepared to move ahead. The Elk River Economic Development Department crafted an aggressive package of financial assistance, and city staff shepherded the project through afast-paced approval process this spring. "We've stuck with them through the long haul," says Catherine Mehelich, Director of Economic Development. "Elk River has shown continued confidence in Orluck Industries and its potential." "I did talk to other cities, too," Orluck admits. But, in the end, he says he made the right choice by selecting Elk River. "Anybody I've dealt with there has been really positive and really aggressive in trying to make a deal that would work," he says. "Orluck Industries is a great fit for the city of Elk River," says Mayor Stephanie Klinzing. Just as Orluck is a young but successful company that is ready to take the next step in its growth, the mayor says, Elk River is an up-and-coming community that is ready to take the next step in its industrial development.